In recent months I have become increasingly aware of two characters within the church that, in my personal opinion, have caused immense damage to the Body of Christ in the last couple of hundred years or so, and whose heretical teachings are very much alive and kicking even today. The first is that of John Nelson Darby, but of whom this post is not focussing upon. And the second, whose teachings are equally destructive and alive today, is that of Charles Grandison Finney.
Until recent times I had ignorantly associated the name of Finney with that of a remarkable man of God, and renowned revivalist. I was aware the high esteem given to him by the likes of Billy Graham and many other recent evangelists, the way in which his writings were required reading in many seminaries, and that his sermons were given a podium at websites I had rated highly, such as www.sermonindex.net . What I hadn’t realised however, was that the guy was a raving heretic that denied a massive portion of orthodox Christian doctrine!
I realise that the comment I’ve just made may well invite harsh comments from his defenders, but it would be my strongest hope that if that be the case, that those who choose to defend such a charlatan be decent enough to at least take a look at what they are defending in the name of Christ. It would be hard to defend the claims that some make towards Finney being arrogant, and maybe a little devious at times, but these could be levelled against most Christians to some degree, I know they certainly could against me. However my gripe with Finney is not because of his personal characteristics, but rather what he confesses to be true, and teaches with bold authority as such. What’s more surprising though, is that Finney himself never even vaguely attempts to hide the heresies he promotes! So before anyone asks me to provide quotes left, right and centre, I would just respond to read anything Finney has written, and his heterodoxy will smack you in the face in the first few pages. Just as a brief example, here is what Finney writes in his systematic theology on the doctrine of original sin:
a stumbling-block both to the church and the world, infinitely dishonourable to God, and an abomination alike to God and the human intellect, and should be banished from every pulpit, and from every formula of doctrine, and from the world. It is a relic of heathen philosophy, and was foisted in among the doctrines of Christianity by Augustine.
There are two goals I have for writing this post. Firstly it is for those who are unfamiliar already to begin to understand the far reach this man’s heretical teaching has into modern Christianity. And secondly, it is to exhort those desiring to run to his defence simply because of his standing in Christian circles, to hold fire for a second and become aware of the errors of his theology. I have included a couple of links that give a more in depth explanation of the errors of Charles Finney’s theology at the end of the post, and would simply summarize what I consider to be the points of greatest concern, and the reason for encouraging any genuine believer to flee from the teachings of this man, or the teachings of those who hold him in high regard.
1. As mentioned already, Finney utterly rejects the doctrine of original sin, so much so that he even puts the heretic Pelagius to shame at times.
2. He denies the substitutionary atonement of Christ on behalf of the believer, along with His imputed righteousness by faith.
3. He denies that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
4. He rejects the doctrine of Biblical regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and demotes it to a personal act of will.
5. He holds to works righteousness for the Christian, otherwise known as Christian perfection. In which the Christian believer, because in his view does not have the righteousness of Christ imputed to him, must live a perfect life or risk losing his salvation.
6. Because of his view on sin, he teaches that one can fully obey the law of God by your own strength.
There are far too many other things to list here, which is the reason I am utterly perplexed as to the reason such a charlatan, false teacher, and wolf in sheep’s clothing, can be given such a prominent voice within the church of today. And if you don’t think he has, just take a look around at the massive amount of malpractice within today’s church that has been based directly upon his preaching and teaching.
Here are the two articles I referred to earlier:
http://www.mtio.com/articles/aissar81.htm
http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/doctrine/?p=8323
PDF No related posts.
John, you are completely correct concerning Mr. Finney. There is no way to know how many people were deceived and are still being deceived by this man and his heresies. And that is the most disturbing part, that men are so without the knowledge of Scripture that they are easy prey to his lies. And most, if not all, are fine upstanding church members. I wonder how many people know that the modern day “invitation” given by most preachers is a direct descendant of Mr. Finney?
Hi Darrel,
To be honest, I’ve only recently felt urged to check out Finney a little more deeply, mainly because of a discussion on our forum by a member who had run headlong into some pretty ardent “Finneyites”. As I began to dig around a little, I can say I was more than a little shocked at how such a renowned Christian figure, could be so boldly and arrogantly heterodox in their basic theology. After all, we’re not talking fringe doctrines here, but basic core doctrines that are fundamental to orthodox Christianity.
The place this lady came into conflict with those who embraced Finney’s theology, was the website ministry of Andrew Strom. He was the guy who had been a part of the prophetic movement, and then openly made a stand against Todd Bentley and company just after the Lakeland debacle. It seems he has escaped the clutches of one wolf, only to run headlong into another. And what’s more concerning, is that there are a growing number amongst those who follow his teaching.
So glad that you posted this John.
The part of Horton’s article which is highly interesting, “As Whitney R. Cross has carefully documented, the stretch of territory in which Finney’s revivals were most frequent was also the cradle of the perfectionistic cults that plagued that century. A gospel that “works” for zealous perfectionists one moment merely creates tomorrow’s disillusioned and spent supersaints. Needless to say, Finney’s message is radically different from the evangelical faith, as is the basic orientation of the movements we see around us today that bear his imprint such as: revivalism (or its modern label. the Church Growth Movement), or Pentecostal perfectionism and emotionalism, or political triumphalism based on the ideal of “Christian America,” or the anti-intellectual, and antidoctrinal tendencies of many American evangelicals and fundamentalists.”
Now I had to put that portion up in case someone missed that!!
I’m also amazed (not really) that Strom can waltz in and be one of ‘the good guys’, now. I don’t know how many reformed sites are linked up to him…many. People really need to do their homework.
Thanks much!